Former Pakistan cricket greats on Wednesday welcomed new captain Younus Khan as a chance to revive team fortunes after miserable results under the outgoing Shoaib Malik.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday replaced Malik with senior batsman Younus following the home team's 234-run mauling at the hands of Sri Lanka, which gave the visiting side a 2-1 series win.

Former captain Imran Khan said Younus commands respect.

"Younus has one big advantage over others in that he is the best batsman in the team and is respected by fellow players because he gives his best and can demand the same from others," Khan told AFP.

But Khan, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph in Australia in 1992, criticised indefinite appointments.

"I was the most successful captain but was never appointed for more than one series. I think a captain should be judged after every series," said Khan, who led Pakistan in 48 Tests and 139 one-day internationals.

Former captain Inzamam-ul Haq said Malik had not lived up to expectations.

"Malik failed to handle the players in the team," said Inzamam, who was replaced by Malik after Pakistan's first-round exit from the 2007 World Cup.

"A good captain is not about winning and losing, it's also proper handling of the players."

"I hope Younus leads the team for a longer period because frequent changes are not good for the team. Younus must perform well, as he has done, so that he can command respect and can ask others to perform well."

Fellow former captain Zaheer Abbas also welcomed the decision.

"We didn't have desirable results under Malik," said Abbas, revered as a great batsman. "At times, a change at the top changes luck and we can only hope that the team produces good results under Younus."

Abbas said it would also be up to other players to revive spirits.

"Not just the captain, but the other 10 players in the team need to show their best so it looks like a unit," said Abbas.

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said he hoped Malik would emerge a stronger player after being relieved of the captaincy.

"It wasn't easy taking the decision but we had to better the team. I hope Malik emerges stronger from this and does his best for the team in future," said Saeed.

Batting legend Javed Miandad quit his post as Pakistan Cricket Board director general Wednesday following disagreements within the crisis-hit governing body of the country's national sport.
"The PCB wanted to restrict me to domestic affairs and I don't want any interference in my work.

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan on Wednesday urged President Asif Ali Zardari to reform the national game of cricket, which he said was in as much mess as the country.
"If Zardari really wants to help Pakistan cricket then he must allow it to be an institution.

New Pakistan captain Younus Khan on Wednesday pleaded for support from all his players, warning he has no magic wand to turn around the team's fortunes after a humiliating defeat to Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday replaced Shoaib Malik with Younus following the home team's 234-run mauling at the hands of Sri Lanka, which gave the visiting side a 2-1 series win.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday replaced Shoaib Malik with Younus Khan as captain of the national cricket team after a humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka, its chairman said.
Malik led Pakistan to their worst one-day defeat -- by 234 runs -- in the third and final one-day international in Lahore on Saturday, handing Sri Lanka a 2-1 series win.